My first blog on ESPN.com 2/22/2009

I just found my first blog that I wrote and figured I'd post it up here since it's semi-relevant to the upcoming season and what has been going on with the many changes.

27-27

As an avid Detriot Pistons fan, I’m just about ready to jump off a cliff because I just can’t stand watching them play like this anymore. If you’re a Wizards fan, you understand my pain considering we’re both 27-27 right now. Actually, I’m not punching myself in the face every time the Pistons lose because I think they can pull it together. With a new coach, new roster, and a few rookies, it’s understandable that this team isn’t quite the team it used to be. There is great potential on this team and I don’t think their record is doing them any justice considering their roster of very skilled players.

I want to start off by talking about Rodney Stuckey. As a second year rookie, he is getting a lot more playing time than he did last season. Also, last season he had to share the spotlight and Point Guard position with Chauncey Billups, who is now playing on the Denver Nuggets. Michael Curry, the current head coach, recently said that Stuckey is "the key to our team.” Stuckey is a great player, but keep in mind that this is his first year being on the court with so many minutes. He is new to the team and NBA itself and still needs the experience to be a star player. These are obvious reasons Stuckey shouldn’t be the “key” to the team. I think that with a few years, he’ll learn how to be a better player and definitely can lead the Pistons back into championship status.

Of course I have to mention Allen Iverson. We all know that AI is a pretty good player of our time, definitely nowhere near Kobe, but he’s good. Iverson currently has the most assists and scored the most points on the Pistons, which is a favorable contribution. One important question I ask myself is, “Was trading Billups for AI worth it?” Some people might say I’m crazy because AI is awesome or whatever, but Billups is a good player as well. Although his stats may not be as high as Iverson’s, he was an important part of the Pistons. The Pistons had chemistry, a sense of balance, when Billups played with them. As a new part of the team, Iverson still has some getting used to until he can truly make an effect on being on the Pistons (regardless to the fact that he has 12 years of experience). So, similarly to Rodney Stuckey, Iverson needs more time.

I’ll probably bore everyone if I wrote a paragraph about each of the amazing players on the Pistons. A few others to look out for are Wallace (currently has the most rebounds and blocks for the Pistons), Hamilton, Prince, McDyess, Maxiel, and Johnson.

Lastly, I want to talk about Head Coach, Michael Curry. Curry was formerly the assistant coach for the Pistons and was hired as head coach this season. Not only does he have to hold the responsibility to uphold the Pistons reputation as a new head coach, but he needs to figure out how to work his new roster. As previously mentioned, within a few years of trial and error, Curry will be able to step his game up and bring the Pistons back.

After 6 consecutive losses within the past month, the Pistons need to pull it together. Tuesday, the Pistons are playing against the Miami Heat for the second time. The last time they played each other, the Pistons won 93-90. Winning this game is crucial for the Pistons. If they lose Tuesday night, they will fall below .500 for the first time since the 2000-2001 season (finished with 32-50). This season is kind of a bummer and I don’t really expect much out of it, but watch out because the Detroit Pistons are coming back.

Now, we all know that Curry isn't going to have "a few years of trial and error" since Joe Dumars fired him. My hopes are high for the Pistons with a new coach (again) and some new players. If Kuester can figure out how to respark the Piston's passion and chemistry (and perhaps some defense), there is no doubt that we'll see a Championship again some day.

 There will be another blog more in depth about the new coaching and team coming soon. This is a preview!